Call Me Back - with Dan Senor Bonus episode: Winning the Water Game in the Middle East - with Seth Siegel
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Dec 7, 2025 Seth Siegel, an author and water-policy expert, dives into the critical role of water in Middle Eastern geopolitics. He explains why Iran’s water crisis worsens from political failures and how the country's rejection of Israeli assistance has aggravated the situation. Siegel also shares insights on Israel's successful water management strategies and innovative technologies, like using drones for irrigation. He raises concerns about the future, suggesting Iran's crisis could lead to societal changes, though solutions may take decades.
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Root Causes Of Iran’s Water Collapse
- Iran's water crisis stems from slow-building causes: subsidies, overuse, corruption, and infrastructure mismanagement.
- These policies drained groundwater and prevented long-term recharge, creating a structural shortage.
Corruption Worsened Infrastructure
- Corruption deeply amplified Iran's water failures as IRGC-controlled projects prioritized profit over proper engineering.
- Large-scale dam and diversion projects served as channels for graft and political favoritism, worsening scarcity.
Pre-Revolution Water Cooperation
- Before 1979, Israel sent water engineers to Iran and helped modernize irrigation and infrastructure.
- The 1979 revolution expelled Israeli experts and many trained Iranians, accelerating Iran's decline in water management.
